Scam Artists Have Conned 30,000 Area Seniors

Scam Artists Have Conned 30,000 Area Seniors

New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand says there needs to be a crack down on financial scams targeting seniors.

New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand says there needs to be a crack down on financial scams targeting seniors.

Gillibrand says estimates show around 500,000 New York seniors have fallen victim to consumer fraud, losing an estimated total of more than $180 million. Federal Trade Commission estimates also reveal one in five seniors nationally fall victim to consumer fraud.

In the Rochester area, nearly 30,000 seniors have been hit by fraud, losing more than $11 million.

Gillibrand wants to toughen penalties against people targeting seniors, crack down on "senior advisor" scams consisting of financial advisors exploiting titles claiming to specialize in seniors.